The Mission of God Comes First
March 30, 2011
Truth: Pressures to conform to the ethics and behaviors of the world can be intense – especially from family, friends and colleagues that you admire. However, joining the Mission of God in Kingdom power requires a single loyalty to God above all else.
Scripture: “No one who has left home or wife or brothers or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and, in the age to come, eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)
Prayer: Eternal Father, lead me today in Your paths of righteousness for Your name sake. I ask that You would grant me the privilege of journeying with my family and friends in Your Kingdom; but should they choose a different path, then grant me the courage to choose You over the pressures and loyalties of this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Direction = Destination
March 29, 2011
We have heard it said that it is your direction, not your intention, that determines your destination. This is where many of us get lost. We have great intentions, but the paths we choose lead us to a different destination than we ever intended! Arriving at our ultimate destination, whether in relationships with others, college choices, or career choices, doesn’t just happen. We make choices, choose paths, and head in directions that will most definitely lead us somewhere, but will those choices and paths lead us to where we really want to go?
This is what we will be talking about in CrosStone for the next four weeks. The following summarizes each week, and is followed by a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.
ROAD SIGNS:
Session One (March 30)
You can’t get to the south beach by driving north, and you can’t get to the top of the mountain if you are walking down it. Why? It’s because our direction always determines our destination. While we all know this basic rule for navigating the roads we drive, we sometimes forget how the same rule is true in our lives. You can’t lose weight by shoving down quarter pounders and watching five hours of TV. You can’t have deep relationships by ignoring the living, breathing people around you. You can’t grow closer to God by shutting Him out of your everyday life or failing to make the effort to know more about Him. So what is the destination you desire for your life? Are you even on the right path to get there?
Session One Parent Cue: Is there something in your life that you wish was different than it was, something that is realistically in your ability to change? What would it take for you to change your direction to meet your desired destination?
Session Two (April 6)
When we’re behind the wheel, most of us stop if we see a street sign that says “danger” or “dead end.” We put ourselves on alert if we see a “caution” sign. But when it comes to our daily lives and the choices we face, sometimes we ignore the warning signs completely. We trudge right through the “don’t say that” sign and deeply cut someone close to us with a wounding remark. We plow right through the “don’t date that girl” sign because we believe that having someone who’s not great for us is better than not having someone at all. The Bible warns us that when we see danger to take action, because when we don’t, things can get really ugly.
Session Two Parent Cue: What are some cautions that you’ve had in past? Did you pay attention to them or ignore them? What happened as a result of your decision?
Session Three (April 13)
Everyone makes stupid choices—even smart people. Why? Because we’ve all had moments when we know the right thing to do, we have the right information, and we ignore it. We know we should order the fruit cup, but we order the mega-size fries. We know we should not spend all our money on that one shirt, but we do it anyway. We know we should avoid that one relationship, but we just keep coming back because it’s comfortable. So there has to be something more to it than just knowing the right thing to do. It’s not just about knowing the right choice, it’s about actually taking that first step. It’s the difference between knowing the right choice and trusting that the choice will lead you to a better path. It’s the difference between information and submission.
Session Three Parent Cue: Concerning the “destination” where you want to arrive, how will it require you to yield? What would you have to change or give up?
Session Four (April 20)
Have you ever been walking down the street, deep in thought, but oblivious to what was going on around you—that is until you snapped out of it and realized that you passed your destination two blocks ago? Your attention was elsewhere. Your mind wasn’t focused on what you were doing. The reality is this: what you give your attention to determines your direction. When something captures your attention, it will alter your direction and eventually lead you to a predictable destination—for better or worse. This week, we will wrap up the series by helping your child take a look at the things that capture his or her attention. We will challenge them to be intentional about paying attention to the things that will ultimately lead them in the direction they want to go.
Session Four Parent Cue: What are the distractions along the way to reaching your “destination”?
Finding Greatness in God’s Kingdom
March 29, 2011
Truth: Earthly power is exercised with might and control, but authority in the Kingdom of God is demonstrated in meekness and humility. True greatness in God’s Kingdom is found in serving others and never demanding my rights.
Scripture: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; but you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me.” (Luke 22:25-29)
Prayer: Eternal God, today I will follow Your path of meekness and humility and serve those around me. I know that Your Kingdom is not one of might and control, but of service and sacrificial love. I receive You as the authority in my life and ask that you will confer upon me Your eternal Kingdom. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Seek Him and Find the Rest
March 28, 2011
Truth: God’s ways are true. Every time. When I join the mission of God and seek His Kingdom and righteousness He promises that every other need that I have will be met. God has never lied or failed to fulfill His promises.
Scripture: “Seek His Kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:31)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, today I will seek Your Kingdom and not my own. Help me to find You in every part of my day and to behave humbly and righteously in a way that honors You. I trust that when I put Your Kingdom first, You will take care of all my needs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Figs, Doves, & Mountains ~ Eric Watt
March 27, 2011
Figs, Doves, & Mountains ~ Eric Watt
Kingdom Authority and Power
March 27, 2011
Truth: The path that lead’s to God’s authority and Kingdom Power is narrow, hard and costly, and very few find it. (Matthew 7:13) The best way to stay on this path and not get lost is to follow Jesus. He came to serve. He befriended sinners. He loved the unlovely and made Himself of no reputation. Wherever He went people spoke of His authority. When I follow Jesus and take His path, God’s authority and Kingdom Power will also reign in my life.
Scripture: “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, “the Kingdom of God is near you.” (Luke 10:9)
Prayer: Eternal and Wise God, today I choose the narrow road to life. I know that it is not an easy path, but I want to experience the joy and mercy of Your authority. I will empty myself of all ambition and desire so that I can be filled with Your presence and Kingdom Power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Whatever It Takes
March 26, 2011
Truth: Joining the mission of God in Kingdom power requires a total and complete devotion to God and God alone. I must commit to avoid all temptations and distractions that would hinder my walk with God and keep me from completing the mission God has given to me.
Scripture: “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.” (Mark 9:47)
Prayer: Righteous Father, You are good and holy and no evil can be in Your presence. Today I commit all that I am – everything I see, hear and do – will be in accordance with Your mission. I will do whatever it takes to follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
It’s About the Fruit
March 25, 2011
Truth: Every person who joins the mission of God with Kingdom Power will bear good fruit. Every person. Just like an apple tree produces apples so those who are on God’s journey will produce spiritual fruit – the character qualities and actions – that identify them with Jesus.
Scripture: “Therefore I tell you that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:43)
Prayer: Gracious Father, help me today to follow You. I want to be known by You and by those around me to be someone who produces the fruit of righteousness and who demonstrates Kingdom Power. Grant to me the richness of Your presence and the potency of Your wisdom to both be and act according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Living Like Children
March 24, 2011
Truth: Healthy little children are carefree and filled with love for their parents. They trust their parents to provide for them, to guide them along the right path and to take care of their every need. I am to follow Jesus with the same trust and freedom – knowing that joining His mission will keep me on the right path and provide all that I need.
Scripture: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.” (Matt18:3)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust You for everything that I need and for direction for my future. I resign from being “in charge” of my own destiny and turn to You. By joining Your mission today, I am looking for You to lead me each step of my day and to show me Yourself in every circumstance. I will follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Doing His Will
March 23, 2011
Truth: Every follower of Jesus is known, not so much by his words, but by his actions. I can say things that I don’t understand, or state things that I don’t necessarily mean, but what I actually do shows what I believe. Joining the mission of God in Kingdom Power is about doing His will.
Scripture: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Prayer: Gracious Father, today I commit to seek You, to follow You and to do Your will. Help me to listen before I act, to not be afraid of what others may think, and to join Your mission by obeying Your word in every circumstance. Grant me the courage to stay on course with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.